Prior's agent preaches patience to Padres

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres are hopeful Mark Prior is on the mound
by May 1 but his agent would prefer the club stick to the suggested
time line.

General manager Kevin Towers said Thursday that encouraging
reports on Prior's progress gives the Padres hope he could pitch
ahead of schedule in 2008 if he doesn't have any setbacks. The
right-hander underwent shoulder surgery this offseason and hasn't
pitched in the big leagues since Aug. 10, 2006.

But Prior's agent, John Boggs, wants the Padres to stick to the
suggested time line of Dr. James Andrews, who recommended a return
to the mound in mid-to-late May.

After five years with the Chicago Cubs, Prior signed a one-year
deal with the Padres in December. The former 18-game winner has a
42-29 mark and a 3.51 ERA in 106 games started.

"I think he's progressing very well," Boggs said. "But I have
stood fast and strong on his encouraging rehab schedule not to
expedite something that shouldn't be expedited. Let's give him the
time he needs.

"I hope that's what the Padres are thinking."

Towers said the suggestion only came after he received good
reports from trainer Todd Hutcheson.

One good sign: Prior has already begun throwing off the mound.
And if Prior -- the second overall pick of the 2001 amateur draft
-- continues recovering at this pace he could start a rehab
assignment in the minors when the Padres return to San Diego to
begin the regular season.

"There's a chance," Towers said. "I don't know how realistic
that is. But initially we had thought it would be the first of
July."

Said Boggs: "You're going to get value from Mark Prior if you
follow the time line and don't try to expedite."

The Padres' bench could get could a valuable addition in Tony
Clark before the team heads to camp in Peoria, Ariz., next
week.

Both Towers and Boggs, who is also Clark's client, confirmed
that the two sides have been talking about a potential deal.

Clark -- who played at San Diego State -- hit .249 with 17
homers in 221 at-bats last season with the Diamondbacks. The
35-year-old has been a thorn in the Padres side since signing with
Arizona in 2005 with eight home runs in 79 at-bats against them.
Four of those homers came at the expense of Padres pitcher Chris
Young.

"Nothing is definitive at this hour," Boggs said. "We're trying
to get some clarity on what's the best situation."

The interest in Clark comes during a week in which the Padres
also worked out five-time all-star Mike Sweeney. While the Padres
have interest in Sweeney it appears he's drawing more interest from
several American League clubs.

Los Angeles and Cincinnati are also believed to have interest in
Clark.

Towers also said the club could likely finalize a two-year deal
with shortstop Khalil Greene as soon as today. The signing has been
held up by "language issues," according to Towers.